Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) User Reviews (13)

Should Have Been Better, Could Have been Worse

[happipuppi13 · 5/10 · 30 October 2005]

Once again,I comment on the many "unfortunate" choices of movies I went to see in 1981. (I saw 19 movies all together.) Most reviews here have given you the plot of Alan Arkin being a washed up baseball player formerly known as "The Philly Flash" and that Carol Burnette is "Chu Chu" the street performer.

Together these two get caught up in what is yet another Hollywood comedy about the average Joe running from the Govt. Because they possess some sort of document! (See "Dirty Tricks" for a similar plot!) Chu Chu witnesses a man in a suit leave his briefcase behind,which she deposits into an opening on the side of her drum. Pretty soon the man and several undercover folk are after her and the "Flash".

The briefcase is now hidden in a hot dog vending cart of one of her neighbors (who has to take this thing up & down stairs everyday!) The agents go to every hot dog vendor in the park,placing a "special order" every time that's the code word for the vendor to give them the case.

Overall,the (I guess) sentimental moments between Alan and Carol are a lot better than the comedy. I did laugh when I watched this but not as much as I thought I would. That's why I rate it 5 stars,it's only "kind of" funny and only "kind of" touching. Some re-writes (maybe from Carol herself) should have been made before final production.

If you wonder why Carol wasn't that funny in this,it's because she truly does belong in front of a "live" audience. I think their energy gives Carol comedic energy and a "knock 'em off their socks" attitude. She makes better movie dramas anyway like,"Friendly Fire" and the serio-comic "The Four Seasons" with Alan Alda.

I recall the early 80's as a time when Hollywood thought they didn't have to "try" anymore and that folks would watch just anything. Maybe young people would like it but not many adults.

Release date: August 28, 1981 Running time : 92 minutes Budget: $7 million Box office :$221,898

(END)

Better than it sounds -

[capricorn9 · 5/10 · 1 July 2007]

Carol Burnette and Alan Arkin star in this offbeat comedy and I must say that Miss Burnette has given a very underplayed, for her, performance. This does show she can act and not over the top. Arkin is at his manic best and his son is in great form as another of the homeless that get involved in the caper. It is well paced and most times the dialogue is snappy and well written. This little known film should be given a second chance. I just happened to pick it up on VHS at a local video store who was sell tapes off for under a buck! Glad I did. I had heard about it when it first came out, but never got to see it. Probably because it came and went before anyone would see it! Give it a chance.........

I Just Felt Sorry For Carol

[robc-11 · 21 September 2004]

Carol Burnett is so talented! She can be dramatic, silly, downright hilarious. I am a huge fan of Carol's 70's variety show. However, this movie is a terrible load of crap. You won't believe how bad this is unless you have seen it. Burnett is street entertainer "Chu Chu" (a "Charo" imitation that Burnett got loads of laughs for on her television show, but it is strangely unfunny in this debacle.) Chu Chu meets up with a homeless bum, (Alan Arkin), who is known on the streets as the "Philly Flash" because he was once a professional baseball player. Somehow, these two stumble upon a brief case that contains secret government documents...and, well, I can't write anymore. This has to be seen to be believed.

Skip it!

[Caractacus23 · 1/10 · 13 January 2007]

I was born in 1970, and this movie came out in 1981. I had grown up during the 1970s thoroughly enjoying the old "Carol Burnette Show," so I pestered by mother to take me to see it at the old AMC Pruneyard theater in Campbell, California (now the site of the Camera 7 Cinemas). Man, was I ever disappointed! Its been nearly 26 years since I've seen this film, and I have no desire to repeat the experience. I can't remember there being anything funny about it, or being moved to laugh in any way, shape, or form. The script was an implausible mess of a story that I never gave a damn about. As interesting side notes, however, this movie must have been one of the first feature films to have Danny Glover and Danny Aiello in the cast. It also took place in San Francisco, which was probably the only thing about it I liked (having grown up in the Bay Area, I enjoy seeing places that look familiar on screen). Skip it!

A Bittersweet, But Unfunny, Comedy About Losers.

[frschoonover · 2/10 · 25 July 2021]

This 1981 movie stars Carol Burnett and Alan Arkin as two down on their luck alcoholic losers who wind up on the streets. Arkin portrays a former baseball pitcher who was once known as "The Philly Flash" and Burnett portrays a once successful dancer named Chu Chu (whose real name is Emily) now reduced to performing on the streets for what little money she can get to support herself. "The Philly Flash" is now reduced to washing windows for strangers and selling fake or broken watches to try and make a buck for himself. Until they meet, they have no knowledge of each other.

When they do meet, their lives are turned upside down when a briefcase containing confidential political propaganda is accidently dropped from a window, which. Chu Chu hides within her drum and resists Flash's questions about it. Now, they are both on the run with this sensitive information, which is hidden within a particular hot dog vendors cart, and a chase ensues throughout the city as both Chu Chu and Flash are caught up in this political intrigue and must work to get themselves out.

This movie wasn't very long in theaters in 1981. I remember catching this on the Late Show in 1986 on one mf my local syndicated channels. However, I fell asleep in the midst of this film and later revisited this film again when I bought a bootleg DVD.of it and watched the whole thing through. I now see why it wasn't in theaters very long.

This is a bittersweet comedy about two down on their luck losers who wind up innocently getting caught up in political intrigue. The only problem is that the film just isn't funny, although it does try hard to be funny, it fails, which is sad. Arkin and Burnett are two very good and well seasoned performers and actors, and while their performances do give the film a certain wacky charm, they fail to bring laughs, although they do try hard to bring them. However, the film winds up as a miserable train-wreck that could've been better. The main reason why I watched this was mainly for Carol Burnett as I grew up watching her long running CBS aired variety show. I kept waiting and waiting for any laugh inducing opportunity, but got none. Even with a well written script by Arkin's then wife, Barbara Dana, it didn't successfully translate onto the silver screen very well. Later on, I heard that 20th Century Fox, who distributed this film, actually disowned this picture, which I saw because there was no 20th Century Fox logo at the beginning of the picture when I caught this on the Late Show in 1986. It was on VHS for a short time, but was later withdrawn. I don't know if the disowning by 20th Century Fox is true as it is simply something that I have heard over the years. This was also an attempt to rekindle the chemistry between Arkin and Burnett as Arkin starred in a funny skit on the short lived Summer series Carol Burnett & Company, but that also fails. .Even with a supporting cast of Ruth Buzzi, Danny Glover, Danny Aiello, Sid Haig and two of Arkin's sons, Adam and Tony, it still fails to bring anything laughable and again, becomes a train wreck that could've been better. Even the direction by David Lowell Rich is sloppy and contributes to this film going downhill.

The performances of Arkin and Burnett are this film's only redeeming factors as they both try to keep this film afloat, but again, fail miserably. They both try real hard to be funny and make it work, but again, they fail. Their performances and their trying to make this film funny and to keep it afloat is THE main reason why I give this film two stars out of five.

During his lifetime, Mr. Lowell Rich has directed numerous films, which were pretty good and well directed by him, but this film is not one of them. His direction of this film is really sloppy

Overall, a bittersweet comedy that fails to be funny and again, the performances of both Arkin and Burnett are why I give this film two stars out of five.

Something rotten in the city of San Francisco.

[mark.waltz · 1/10 · 21 November 2019]

This rip-off of two of the best screwball comedies of the 1970's ("What's Up Doc?" and "Foul Play") can't even get a chase sequence right, and features some of the most unlikable, retrobate characters ever given leading focus. Comic talents Carol Burnett and Alan Arkin must have missed the realization that in order for this to have worked, they would have needed a completely different script and director, a toning down of the obnoxious parts they were assigned to play, and even with a huge supporting cast of terrific comical character actors, there is no way this could work on screen.

Arkin is a homeless con-artist, washing car windows (whether the owner wants them washed or not) and selling broken watches, going into cahoots over the discovery of a brief case that flies out of a window, and finding out that it has secret plans in a hidden compartment. Burnett, badly doing a Carmen Miranda imitation, is one of the most talented comic actresses and skit performers, but unfortunately, she overacts to the point where you want her to get laryngitis. Another Arkin (Adam) is hideous as a hot tempered pal of Alan's, and Jack Warden, Ruth Buzzi, Vitto Scotti, Lou Jacobi, among others, aren't salvaged with the weak material.

This leaves the vintage San Francisco location footage, going through various parks, waterfronts and tourist traps in its failed attempt to find laughs. This is the type of comedy that is quickly forgotten after a week of theater showings, and most likely didn't even get a network airijg,. If it did, it's a guarantee that the ratings after the first half hour slipped down to practically nothing.

One of my favorite movies, period

[askcal · 10/10 · 29 August 2005]

Carol at her best. Vulnerable, silly yet real. Very romantic. This movie also has a wonderful song with the lyric "All I need is you, sweet baby, and a whole lot of money." This movie is excellent for the entire family (my children love it). I am feverishly trying to buy this movie. I could watch it a thousand times. Did I mention romantic?

The story is full of human elements such as two down and out wannabes finding fulfillment in each other. They are drawn to each other, reluctantly at first, but their love for each other grows and they become inseparable.

Of course, there are villains and bad guys. There are suspenseful scenes where the actors are placed in jeopardy, but you know that there will be a happy ending. This movie will have you rooting for the stars and cheering at the outcome.

Out of circulation

[DodsworthMcgillicutty · 7/10 · 26 March 2014]

Must be a good kids film. In the mid-80's I watched this CBS broadcast VHS recording several times. For some reason this captivated me. Perhaps because Arkin and Burnett are treasures to watch. I wanted to see this again, but where is it??? It looks like it only had one limited VHS release, and is not even VOD on Warner archives or streaming, nor is it ever mentioned. I believe this received widespread undeserved 1 star ratings in 1981. This deserves more. Maybe it won't hold up, viewing as an adult. I'd like to find this though.

A Classic- in my top 20 of all time great movies

[rotary-1 · 10/10 · 28 January 2006]

If you like Blues Brothers, you'll love this unknown classic, too. The characters are quirky, dialogue is hilarious, and the action is nonstop- every guy I have shown this movie has enjoyed it. If you can't decide on a date movie, give Chu Chu a try. And yes, the name sounds stupid, but Chu Chu is the name Carol Burnett's character uses when she dances Carmen Miranda style (she wears fruit on her head- it's better than the famous Scarlett O'Hara curtain rod scene from her variety show), and Alan Arkin plays a washed up baseball star, the Philly Flash. Watch for Adam Arkin, the wacky barefoot chef from Northern Exposure, and Alan's son. Adam's character is just as much fun in this movie.

Classic Alan Arkin...

[kmw1962 · 6/10 · 4 May 2005]

Alan Arkin is a bum, surrounded by characters crazier than himself, who has finally dried out and has the chance to play minor league ball. (He was known as the "Philly Flash" when he was a major league pitcher, before becoming a major drunk.) The only catch is, he's got to get there (Minnesota as I recall) himself. So he does all the things street people do, wash car windshields, do small errands, sell bogus crap to people to get the bus ticket money. He has friends and colleagues, but not the kind that will finance him (Hey,we're talking $40 here). So he's trying to earn the bus ticket money.

Enter, Chu Chu (Carol Burnett) a street performer who teaches music to the desperately untalented from her one room apartment and does a very funny one woman band show for spare change on the street. When they meet, its love at first sight, okay, maybe second sight. Although the main comedy instrument is the discovery of secret government documents, which the Flash informs Chu Chu are worth "fifty bucks, maybe seventy five", this movie is about the love between two hapless characters who's talents aren't enough for fame and fortune, but gives them the hope that they can have a better life than the ones they have.

What makes this film really work is that their best friends sitting in the bus depot basically recalling the events of the last few days while waiting for their friends to arrive. If Chu Chu and the Flash are life's losers, then Charlie (played by Adam Arkin) and Theresa are a few rungs below that. Everyone should have friends as loyal and selfless as these two.

Very dry humor, with underplaying by some great actors

[gunner-9 · 10/10 · 22 December 1998]

Can't understand why this flick hasn't gotten better ratings. It's a dry humor comedy of lost souls on the streets of San Francisco. IT is fantasy, comedy, drama, action and very dry humor all rolled into one. I see reminders of some of the great movie comedians of the past here. Have any of you ever been to Fisherman's Wharf area of San Francisco? Used to see people like this all the time. And in the neighborhoods. These are local characters in many of them.

Great vehicle for two veteran greats.

[maustin-13558 · 10/10 · 13 January 2022]

OMG! I've been looking for this movie for years. I don't think it even got a DVD release. I'm watching on YouTube. I saw it first on HBO about the time it was released. It's a cute story about a community of underdogs, two in particular, trying to get by in life. It speaks volumes to anyone who has been dealt a low blow in life. The comedic acting is fist rate and the story, although familiar, is touching. I kind of get the critic reviews. It takes a special personality type to appreciate this kind of movie.

Funny, Warm, Inspirational "What a nice thing!"

[bunnyisms · 28 September 2007]

This has to be the most underrated film of all time! I just love this movie. Everyone has to love this movie; it is funny, inspirational, warm, romantic and entertaining and through all that, it delivers an important message about life. The casting is perfect and the actors play their parts perfectly.

Through the antics of a zany bunch of ragtag misfits, exaggerated characters and a band of bumbling bad guys, we see friendship, caring and most of all, the indomitable human spirit. Emily (Carol Burnett), in her gaudy customs and garish clothes and Flash (Alan Arkin)penniless, homeless and so grateful for a free hot dog that you'd think he'd just been given a million dollars, may be down, but definitely not out, as Flash proclaims, "don't count me out."

You must see this movie. FMC played it on 9/26/07 and maybe they will schedule it again soon. If you can find a CD or tape, it is worth purchasing. Especially show it to your children. Mine loved it and still go around quoting Flash, "What a nice thing!"